Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I can, however, assure you that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.35 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of 800 to 1,000 Garda members this year, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.

In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. The new model will see larger divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 21 March, the following divisions currently have vacant Crime Prevention Officer positions.

Location of Divisional Vacancy	Competition status
Meath	No date for competition confirmed
Clare	Competition in progress
Tipperary	Competition in progress
Cork City	Competition in progress
Cork North	Competition in progress
Carlow/ Kilkenny	No date for competition confirmed

I am informed that it is a matter for the Divisional Officer in each location, engaging with the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau, to arrange recruitment competitions and ensure Crime Prevention Officer positions are filled.

You may also be interested to know that contact details for Crime Prevention Officers can be found on the Garda website and the following link: www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the training of Garda members. As Minister I have no role in this matter.

The Garda Inspectorate Report on Public Order Policing, published in April 2019, contains four recommendations that reference training.

I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that three of these recommendation have been fully implemented:

• Recommendation 6 - Selection and Training

The Inspectorate recommends that An Garda Síochána develop a standardised, transparent selection process for the National Public Order Unit. This process should be overseen by the Human Resource and People Development Department to ensure consistency, fairness and equality of opportunity. Selection should be contingent on the member having up-to-date refresher training in use of force and having signed the Code of Ethics. Unsuccessful candidates should receive appropriate feedback.

A new selection process for Garda National Public Order Unit personnel has been introduced in An Garda Síochána. Oversight is provided by the Chair of the Garda National Public Order Steering Group.

• Recommendation 7 – Selection and Training

The Inspectorate recommends the adoption of a specific strategy into the greater female representation in public order policing.

In April 2021, a new Garda National Public Order Unit selection model was rolled out across An Garda Síochána in consultation with the Garda College and in line with international best practice to promote greater female representation in public order policing. Oversight is provided by the Chair of the Garda National Public Order Steering Group.

• Recommendation 15 – Decision Making

The Inspectorate recommends that An Garda Síochána embed the Garda Decision-Making Model into operational practice though the provision of scenario- based exercises in all use of force and public order training.

New scenario-based exercises were developed and incorporated into new training material in 2020. Public Order training materials and policies have been updated with Garda Decision-Making Model.

There is one recommendation that is not yet fully implemented:

• Recommendation 17 – Organisational Learning

The Inspectorate recommends that An Garda Síochána formalise its debriefing process by involving external stakeholders including organisers, protesters and wider representation from internal organisational units. Lessons learned should be reviewed by the Public Order Steering Group and should influence subsequent selection, training and development of tactics and strategy.

Guidance on Briefing and De-Briefing and the new Garda Decision Making Model has been strengthened in the new Event and Public Order and Public Safety Policy and Procedure documents, which are currently being piloted.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2024 provided an unprecedented budget of €2.35 billion for the Garda Vote, a total increase of 25% since 2020. The unprecedented level of investment into An Garda Síochána has enabled:

The roll out of the highest number of mobility devices ever allowing all Gardaí to conduct certain policing tasks on the move.

At the end March 2024 there were 3,513 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, including in the Armed Support Unit. This represents an increase of almost 13% since the end of December 2020.

Major investment in new and refurbished stations.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I can inform the Deputy that funding for continued capital investment in An Garda Síochána Fleet Management has been provided for under the 2021-2030 National Development Plan.

I am assured the number and types of vehicles to be procured with this funding will be based on identified operational needs. The availability of resources and will be reviewed on a continual basis.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you will appreciate, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and works in relation to Garda accommodation are progressed by the Garda authorities in close cooperation with the OPW. As Minister I have no role in such matters.

I have made enquiries with An Garda Síochána and I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the location of PEMS (Property & Exhibit Management System) stores located nationally by Garda Region and by Garda Division.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that information on the capacity of (PEMS) stores is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.

Region	Division	PEMS Stores
DMR	DMR East	1
DMR	DMR North	1
DMR	DMR North Central	2
DMR	DMR South	3
DMR	DMR South Central	2
DMR	DMR West	1
Eastern	Laois/Offaly	9
Eastern	Meath/Westmeath	2
Eastern	Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow	2
Eastern	Wexford/Wicklow	2
North Western	Donegal	4
North Western	Galway	2
North Western	Louth/Cavan/Monaghan	3
North Western	Sligo/Leitrim	1
North Western	Mayo/Roscommon/Longford	1
Southern	Clare/Tipperary	2
Southern	Cork City	1
Southern	Cork County	2
Southern	Kerry	1
Southern	Limerick	1
Organised & Serious Crime	Dublin	1
Total		44